Entire State of Texas Declared Natural Disaster

The current article you are reading does not reflect the views of the current editors and contributors of the new Ecorazzi

The persistent drought and wildfires plaguing Texas has led the US Department of Agriculture to declare the state of Texas a natural disaster.

At least 213 counties in Texas have been declared ‘disasters,’ and along with the other remaining counties may now qualify for emergency loans.

However, it’s not the money these farmers want. It’s just some water:

According to Texas Agriculture CommissionerTodd Staples, “We are currently ranked as the third-worst drought on record in Texas. But each passing day moves us closer to the number one year. It is a true calamity. The impact is heartbreaking,” says Staples. “We’ve had over two million acres of dry land cotton being declared 100% abandoned. We have livestock producers that are liquidating their herds, something they’ve spent their entire lifetime building up. It’s just a dreadful set of circumstances.”
If nothing is done soon, the agricultural losses may eventually top the 2006 record of $4.1 billion dollars — a devastating amount — which will not only impact the state’s financial situation, but the people who make a living off of their crops.